Romania back on track with Bosnia and Herzegovina win

Romania moved above Bosnia and Herzegovina in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group D with a convincing victory in Bucharest.

Beaten 2-1 in the reverse fixture in March and with just five points from their opening five fixtures, Romania adopted an attacking mentality throughout, leaving their visitors to try and play on the counterattack. Such a positive approach duly paid off as the home team prevailed thanks to one goal from Adrian Mutu and two from Ciprian Marica.

Indeed, Razvan Lucescu's side had shown plenty of intent from the off, Gabriel Mureşan testing Kenan Hasagić with an 11th-minute free-kick. They went closer still just after the half-hour when Lucian Sânmărtean was denied by the crossbar, but Mutu soon found a way past both the keeper and the frame of his goal, turning in Răzvan Raț's cross from close range.

In total charge, Romania doubled their advantage four minutes from half-time. Rat again provided the assist from the left, Marica applying the finish on this occasion. Gabriel Torje would have added a third eight minutes after the break had it not been for Hasagić's splendid save, but it mattered not for Marica struck his second moments later.

Substitutes Zlatan Muslimović and Vedad Ibišević both had chances to reduce the visitors' arrears, but it was Romania who had the best opportunity to trouble the scorers once more, only for Cristian Săpunaru to miss from the penalty spot in the fifth minute of added time. Bosnia and Herzegovina will look to bounce back at home to Albania on Tuesday, while Romania have to wait until 2 September and a trip to Luxembourg for their next competitive engagement.

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